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Well done ACT!

Millions of drink containers are returned through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme (ACT CDS) every year. By recycling bottles, cans and cartons, you’re helping to reduce litter and landfill and earning some money along the way.

The ACT Container Deposit Scheme is the smart way to recycle your drink containers.

Every container returned makes an impact.

Map

22

return points available

Return Point Network

351.9
million

containers returned via return points since commencement

Kerbside

247.08 million

containers returned via kerbside since commencement

Container Collection

598.96
million

drink containers returned through the scheme (network + kerbside) since commencement

Redemption

65%

of containers supplied redeemed through the scheme (network + kerbside) in the last 12 months

Satisfaction

87%

Satisfaction among scheme participants

Adults Participation

71%

of ACT adults have participated in the ACT CDS

Support

90%

of ACT adults support the scheme

How does it work?

1

Collect eligible containers

Find out which containers can be returned through the ACT CDS for 10 cents each.

2

Take containers to a return point

There are different types of return points available. Find the one nearest or most convenient for you.

3

Get your refund

Get 10 cents for each eligible container you return.

Returning Containers

Each type of return point offers different refund options.

Drop & Go Pods

Ideal for returning containers close to home.

Self-service and open 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.

Electronic refunds

Donations

Drop & Go Points

Ideal for four to five bags of drink containers at a time.

Self-service and staffed. Open during business hours and weekends.

Electronic refunds

Donations

Cash-back Depots

Ideal for larger quantities of drink containers and instant cash refund.

Staffed with automated counting systems. Open during business hours and weekends.

Cash refunds

Electronic refunds

Donations

Reverse Vending Machine

Ideal for returning containers close to home.

Self-service and open 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.

Electronic refunds

Donations

ACT Donation Station Icon 160

Donation Station

Ideal for on-the-go returns. Donations only.

Self-service and open 7am to 12am, seven days a week.

Donations

Latest News

Fruit and veges in community pantry
Community
3 Mar

Trading bottles and cans from fresh produce to combat cost of living

With the rising cost of living affecting many locals, the ACT Container Deposit Scheme is helping keep community pantries stocked in the inner north.
Men pictured next to recycling bins
Community
2 Feb

Closing the Loop at Floriade

Closed Loop has once more dramatically reduced waste and landfill created at the annual Floriade event in Canberra, including 46,500 drink containers that were
Canberra hospital bin
Community
1 Jan

Container recycling helps save lives in Canberra hospitals

Canberra hospitals are converting drink containers into a substantial source of funds by recycling them through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).  In a

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Return Points

Salvos Fyshwick is currently temporarily closed. but there are plenty of other return points across Canberra. Find your nearest one here.

Containers returned at scheme return points

Source: Scheme coordinator, Exchange for Change

This figure is reported monthly.

Containers returned via kerbside collection

Eligible containers collected from household recycling bins are taken to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Hume. The MRF makes a claim at the end of each quarter based on volumes of containers returned during the quarter, therefore this figure is updated once their claim has been reviewed and processed (up to two months post end of the quarter).

Total Containers Returned

Total number of containers collected through the scheme, either via a return point or through kerbside collection, since scheme commencement (June 2018). This figure is reported monthly.

Containers redeemed (network + kerbside)​

The redemption rate is the percentage of eligible containers supplied into ACT which have been redeemed through the scheme, either via a return point or through kerbside collection. This figure is updated quarterly.

Awareness

Source: Instinct & Reason consumer research, July 2024

Total participation

Source: Instinct & Reason consumer research, July 2024

Support for the Scheme

Source: Instinct & Reason consumer research, July 2024